I know what the problem is with we Christians. Some of us for some reason think that our faiths make us better than the man next to us. We become self-righteous without, in fact, becoming any more righteous. We lie, cheat, and steal just like everyone else, and then we turn around and judge other people for these same things. And then there is the issue of intolerance: it seems some of us just don't get along with other faiths, can't seem to handle homosexuality, and again, think we're above it all. Jesus never taught that. He sat down with "sinners", was accused of that, in fact. You who sit in high places, looking down at everyone: it is you whom He derided, not the "sinners". He told us to love one another as He loved us — He set an example of kindness and tolerance. He said, just because you call Him "Lord," doesn't mean you yourself are living as you ought to be living. Don't use the first thing to spite the second.
I find it is a frustrating thing that I must continually apologize for us — no, not all of us, but too many. Why do people not say, "Listen to him: he is a Christian," but rather, "I wish these Christians would shut up"? Why do we Christians not say as we do? And where's the love in all this? I must for myself understand that I am no better than the worst of people. No one makes my mistakes for me — I make them, and I always will. Do you know the distinguishing characteristic of one getting closer to God? He sees more and more his failings, his sins; it is not the other way around. I am a Christian. But that fact in itself does not make me one iota better just to profess it: I guess that's my point, here. And one thing I must say out to non-Christians: we're not all nuts. For all our misgivings, we are only being human, and we might even be better than we seem.
x
6:44pm monday, 8th december
I left the christian faith (church of england) when I was 16 because I realised it was sexist, rascist and homophobic. But that doesn't mean I stopped believing in God. The 'church' is just a construct of a male dominated consumerist society as far as I am concerned. But real unconditional love for each other is never wrong, whatever religion we may belong to.
Myra
7:49pm monday, 8th december
i know exactly what you mean. where i go to school a lot of the proclaimed " christians " are like that. My brother and i had a saying we used to use. "i love christ, but i don't like christians" i dont so much use it any more tho'.
jj
11:00pm monday, 8th december
Kudos to you!
It's an underlying truth.
Geoff
1:46am thursday, 11th december
Christians are generally hypocrites!Religions like christianity have brought so much misery,war,hatred,hierarchy and bigotry to the world that Jesus Christ would be appalled with the actions committed in his name!!
naton
10:42am sunday, 14th december
Wow. I've never seen something I belive so uncannily echoed, and from the other side of the world. I myself am a Christian, and it pains me when other Christians are so damn intolerant. The church I belong to (the Uniting Church in Australia) is currently undergoing some pretty big splits over the issue of whether or not homosexuals and lesbians should be ordained. It's sad to see normally rational people overcome by a fear of what they do not understand, and a self righteousness arrogance that allows no deviation from their own values systems.
If only there were more people like Jesus, eh?
Ex-Christian
6:14am saturday, 9th october
I can relate to this entry. I used to be a Christian. I got tired of the bull really quickly though. I don't want to be a racist. I don't want to be homophobic. I don't want to hate other people because they are different than me. That is what Christianity is to me, now, and I don't want any part of it.
x